ITQ: Reduction in Assessment for Summer 2021

For students due to complete their qualification by 31 August 2021 and where disruption to teaching has been substantial, we will allow you to reduce the number of assessed units required to complete the qualification. However, we would still expect teaching and learning of all units to continue.

This adaptation does not apply to apprenticeship schemes 13996 and 13999, other adaptations continue to apply.

Permitted reduction in assessment

For students, due to complete their qualification by 31 August 2021 moderation will continue but where disruption to teaching has been substantial and assessments have not been completed, we will allow a reduction in the number of assessed units required to complete the qualification. However, we would still expect all teaching and learning of these units to continue, and that this reduction of units should only be used where it is absolutely necessary.

By reducing the amount of time you and your students spend on the assessment of moderated units, we hope this adaptation gives more time to focus on teaching and learning. Teaching as much of the content as possible is vital for students’ progression and is essential to ensure the student has all the necessary knowledge, skills and understanding to be confident when moving to stage of their career.

When reducing the number of assessments, please consider if the student will rely on the experience of being assessed for any specific units for progression onto further study or work. Reducing the number of assessments is optional. If an assessment can be completed, it must be.

Mandatory unit for Certificates and Diplomas

The Certificate, Extended Certificate and Diploma qualifications have a single mandatory unit, Improving Productivity using IT. Where this unit has not yet been achieved, it should be prioritised for completion and assessment. Due to the nature of this unit, if the student cannot come into the centre to complete this unit, it can be done by the student in another setting, eg at home. However, if necessary it can be the unit where assessment does not take place.

Other adaptations

Our other adaptations including remote assessment and changes to the printing requirements remain available and can be found here.

Reducing the number of assessments should only be considered where all other options to complete assessments have been exhausted. The teaching of the content of the unit must still take place.

How to request a reduction in the number of assessments

• Download the Head of Centre and Candidate details form
• Complete the candidate details, including the 8 digit candidate number from Interchange, in the second tab.
• Select the qualifications and unit (or units for the Diploma) where assessment is not taking place.
• Ask your Head of Centre or other member of Senior Leadership to confirm they support the request and confirm to them that you have:
  • Considered the impact on the student’s progression opportunities by not completing the assessment(s) and that this has been discussed with the student.
  • Continued to teach the content of the unit(s) as far as possible.
  • Confirmed the student was due to complete the qualification before 31 August 2021. If the student is due to complete next year, this adaptation cannot be applied.

4. Submit the request to VTQ@ocr.org.uk

You can make more than one request as the situation for individual students develops. The final submission should be made by 15 September 2021.

Your request should sent to OCR once all other units required for the qualification have been claimed for the candidate. Please do not claim for the units being reduced on Interchange, all other units for the candidate should be claimed in the normal way and submitted to your moderator.

Further support

If with the adaptations and the reduction in the number of assessments, your students that were due to complete before 31 August 2021 are still at risk of being unable to complete the qualification, please contact us at VTQ@ocr.org.uk with details of your circumstances.